Nursery Fees & Childcare Funding Explained
Simple, clear, and designed to support your family.
We know childcare costs can feel complicated. Our aim is to keep things clear, flexible, and easy to understand. If you ever have questions, our team is always here to help.
Nursery fees
Our fees vary by nursery. You can find the full fee details for each nursery in the Fees Information section on their individual nursery pages.
Paying your fees
Invoice delivery
Invoices are accessed via the Famly app.
Payment due date
Payment is due by the 3rd of the following month.
Late payment
A £5 per day late fee applies after the due date. If your contact details change, please let your nursery know.
Funded childcare
We offer a range of funded childcare options depending on your child’s age and eligibility.
3 & 4 year funding
All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare, starting the term after their third birthday.
Eligible families can also access an additional 15 hours, giving a total of 30 hours per week.
How it works at Hopscotch
We stretch funding across 51 weeks of the year, so you get more flexibility. This means:
15 hours = up to 570 hours per year
30 hours = up to 1,140 hours per year
Please note, an additional services charge applies to every funded hour. This covers meals, consumables, resources, staff training, and use of our Tapestry platform.
Once your funding is confirmed, you’ll need to complete our funding declaration form, which includes your child’s eligibility code. This must be verified by the nursery.
2 year funding
Some 2 year olds are eligible for funded childcare from the term after their second birthday. This may apply if you receive any of the following:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not entitled to Working Tax Credit and your annual household income doesn’t exceed £16,190)
- Guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit (eligibility criteria apply)
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Ways to pay
We offer flexible ways to pay your childcare fees.
Tax-Free Childcare
The government’s Tax-Free Childcare scheme lets you save on childcare costs.
For every £0.80 you pay in, the government adds £0.20, up to £2,000 per year per child.
This scheme is also available if you’re self-employed.
How it works
Once your account is set up, pay in the amount shown on your invoice each month. Then search for your Hopscotch nursery by name or reference number and forward the payment to us. Please note, we don’t have direct access to TFC accounts, so this step is essential. The whole process can take 2–3 working days.
Childcare vouchers
If you’re already part of a workplace voucher scheme, you can still use these to pay towards your fees.
Please note:
- This scheme is closed to new applicants
- It has been replaced by Tax-Free Childcare
Alternative payment methods
While your account or direct debit is being set up, we also accept:
- Card
- Cash
- Cheque
Additional charges
Late collection: A £5 charge per 5 minutes applies after your child’s booked session ends.
Sibling discount: We offer a 10% discount for a second child attending at the same time. Please note this doesn’t apply to funded-only places.
Need help?
If you’d like support understanding your options, our finance team is happy to help.
Call 02392 559 840 or email finance@hopscotchdaynurseries.co.uk
You can also find further information and guidance on the Childcare Choices website.
